Roman Civilization

Fall 2007

HOW TO CONTACT ME:

You can reach me any Monday, Wednesday, or Friday either by emailing me or by calling 863-1554. I am not on campus Tuesdays or Thursdays, so please do not try to contact me on those days! Unlike many people, I am diurnal (I sleep at night and am awake during the day) resulting in the following facts: if you email me in the middle of the night, it won't be looked at until normal working hours in the morning. Email tends to read like so much vomit--people seem to forget that someone on the other end actually has to look at the message! Your teacher prefers the handwritten note or the actual meeting and talking together--it is how I get to meet you! So, please make an appointment for either office hours (MWF, 10-11, Mood 223) or for a more convenient time MWF.

Meeting is good, especially if you have questions or concerns BEFORE you do an assignment!!! So, get your handwritten notes in line--you can hand them to me before or after class and we can meet and chat.

REQUIREMENTS:

EXAMINATIONS. The examinations will consist of short answers and identifications, and essays, and will be based upon assigned readings and class lecture and discussion. They are all noted and all mentioned on the first day of the course. Make up exams are the RARE exception, not the rule, and are allowed only at the discretion of the instructor; such matters must be arranged in writing no fewer than forty-eight hours in advance of the regularly scheduled exam time. Only extreme, valid, documented emergencies are the exception to this rule. We have an honor code at Southwestern; it has always seemed unfair and not honorable to your instructor that your inability to plan should give you an advantage over other students.  Exam Number I is September 28; Exam Number II is October 24.

TEN-FIFTEEN PAGE PAPER. A 10-15 page paper (paper topic due Oct. 3, 5 pm, rough draft due on October 12, 5 pm, final draft on October 31, 5 pm) is on an ancient work of literature that illustrates aspects of Roman history, culture, or society and is not otherwise assigned in class. The topic is to be selected by the student, and may not be otherwise assigned as one of the course readings; the instructor will provide a list of possible topics. The paper is to be prepared using the a word processing program. Deadlines are firm, and penalties are assessed for each day late (one day ends, and another begins, at 5:00 p.m.): rough draft, 5 points off for each day late off final paper grade; final draft, 10 points off for each day late off final paper grade. Your instructor is cold and cruel, and very strict about these matters. There are no second chances--you know the dates on the first day of class and are to arrange your life according to those dates. From the final draft, ten points deducted for improper or incomplete bibliography; ten points deducted for improper or incomplete bibliography; ten points deducted for improper or incomplete footnotes. Intellectual honesty is a path worth following.

JOURNAL. Assigned readings marked by * (mostly in Shelton) provide the material for the assignment. Each journal entry is to contain the following:

  1. the name, dates, and origins of the author
  2. a very brief summary of the ancient passage
  3. a short discussion of the nature of the source and its value (or lack of value) in giving us historical, cultural, or societal information.

The journal will be due and graded now and again (see pick up dates in schedule); the first time it is evaluated will be for your information only - hints for improvement, suggestions where additional material is needed, and will have a completion grade. The journal is the part of the course where you and your teacher actually get to talk with one another and where you think about actual Roman literature with no filters; it is your chance to express yourself.

Group PROJECT. Each student will participate in a group project, presented in class. The project is to focus on an aspect of Roman Civilization not covered in lectures or assigned readings. It can take any form you wish--it can be painting, pottery, poetry, an interview with an ancient "personality," or a powerpoint presentation.  The group project approval is due on  October 19 by 5 p.m. (only one person need enter it); the group projects are on November 12 and November 14.  The material in the group projects will be included on the final exam. MAKE SURE YOU MAKE SOME KIND OF COPY ON SOME KIND OF PHYSICAL THING--DO NOT ASSUME THAT YOUR ELECTRONIC WORK CAN BE READ BY EVERY MACHINE.  You may hand it in earlier!

Class participation, attendance. The final factor is class participation and attendance. The Southwestern University Catalog states "Southwestern University considers class attendance to be an essential component of its educational mission. Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes, laboratories, studios, rehearsals. etc. for which credit is granted."  In order to get the full credit of class participation, you have to be there--get the full class participation grade!!!!.

The normal expectation is that students will be at every class, for one cannot participate in absentia! Participation also involves preparation of homework assignments before class. Participation will be assessed not so much on quantity as on quality.

Students should feel free to express their OWN opinions. Roman civilization, like all ancient civilizations, is understood only partly--much is missing and we make reasoned assumptions as to the rest. The important thing to keep in mind is to be respectful of each other, our classmates, and the ancient Romans. Students should feel free to express opinions on various matters related to the course and to ask questions. The SU Academic Rights for Students bears repeating here: "Faculty members should encourage free thought and expression both in the classroom and out. Students are entitled to disagree with interpretation of data or views of a faculty member and reserve judgment in matters of opinion, but this disagreement does not excuse them from learning the content of any course for which they a re enrolled or from demonstrating skills and competencies required by a faculty member. Students should be evaluated solely on academic performance."

Accommodation Policy: "Southwestern University will make reasonable accommodations for persons with documented disabilities. Students should provide documentation and schedule an appointment with the Academic Services Coordinator (Cullen Hall Rm 336; 863-1536) at least two weeks before services are needed. In each class where a student requests academic accommodations, the student must meet with the faculty member teaching the course at least one week prior to the requested accommodation."

Work outside of class. Students may study together in preparation for daily classes and for exams. Students are not permitted to share responsibilities for the preparation of written assignments (paper, journal,final project). While the instructor has no control over test files and paper files, students should be aware that content and methodological approaches change each time that the course is offered. It is crystal clear from past experience that reliance on such files is detrimental to one's grade. 

Note: Make-up exams are the exception, and not the rule, and will not be granted automatically. Make-ups must be arranged no fewer than forty-eight hours with the instructor in advance of the regularly scheduled time, and will be given (or not) at the discretion of the instructor.

Final Grades. The plus and minus grading system will be used for final grades. Semester % averages will translate to the following letter grades:

GRADE

The plus and minus grading system in effected at Southwestern will be used for final grades. The ancients were absolute giants in terms of math, science, and natural philosophy unlike your merely mortal instructor.

If you feel that the grades have been averaged incorrectly, please do not hesitate to contact the instructor. Semester percentage averages will translate to the following letter grades (anything below 60 if a failure):

Grade Inclusive % Range GPA POINTS
A+ 96.7-100 4.00
A 93.4-96.6 4.00
A- 90.0-93.3 3.67
B+ 86.7-89.9 3.33
B 83.4-86.6 3.00
B- 80.0-83.3 2.67
C+ 76.7-79.9 2.33
C 73.4-76.6 2.00
C- 70.0-73.3 1.67
D+ 66.7-69.9 1.33
D 63.4-66.6 1.00
D- 60.0-63.3 0.67


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday, August 27 Classes begin
Introduction, Review of Assignments		 Well, I am not here until Wednesday, so this whole day happens then!  Go ahead and look at the maps and read the first Shelton Article #1(that's a couple of pictures and one whole page--you can handle it!)--we'll begin there on Wednesday!  
Wednesday, August 29 Language, Topography World, p. xvii, maps 1-6
Helpful Hint:  On reserve in the library for our class are four copies of Howe and Howe, The Ancient World.  If you want to have some backup to our history reading, this is a really quick, easy-to-read review of Roman history.  You would do well to read the short, relevant chapters!!!		  
Friday, August 31 Pre Imperial History World, pp. 3-13, *Shelton #1  
Monday, September 3
Labor Day, No Class		      
Wednesday, September 5 PreImperial History World, pp. 13-18  
Friday, September 7 PreImperial History World, pp. 18-31

Look over, but do not comment on for your journal, Shelton #187, which helps you appreciate Livy's point of view concerning Tiberius Gracchus and gives you some historical talking points when you read about this (in current day) mythologicalized figure		  
Monday, September 10 PreImperial History World, pp. 31-39  
Wednesday, September 12 PreImperial History World, pp. 39-48  
Friday, September 14 Imperial History World, pp. 49-70  
Monday, September 17 Princeps and imperator World, pp. 83-111
*Shelton#251,255,256,257

Do these in your journal and BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS THEM!!!		  
Wednesday, September 19 Governing Rome World, pp.112-139
*Shelton#259,260,264,267		  
Friday, September 21 Society and Religion I,
The Cosmopolis
Brief discussion of Group Projects		 World, pp.140-168
*Shelton #321, 322, 323		  
Monday, September 24 Society and Religion II, Slavery *Shelton #198, 199, 203, 206, 210  
Wednesday, September 26 Society and Religion III, Slavery, farming JOURNAL DUE, 5pm

THIS DATE IS CARVED IN STONE.		  
Friday, September 28

Exam Number 1
THIS DATE IS CARVED IN STONE.
    
Monday, October 1
this one "web handout" is for all religion lectures		 Religion IV *Shelton #405, 407, 408, 419, 423, 426, 427, 429, 432
You may group some of these together if that makes it easier for you to submit your journals; some may not be immediately understandable, but will become clear so you may want to add to these

SUBMIT ON JOURNAL TWO PLEASE
Wednesday, October 3
PAPER TOPIC DUE BY 5 p.m.; SUBMIT ONLINE ON THE SEGUE FORM; NOT BY EMAIL!		 Religion V *Shelton #446,447, 449
Friday, October 5 Religion VI *Shelton #434, 435, 437, 439
Monday, October 8 Production, Consumption, Technology World, pp. 181-207  
Wednesday, October 10
 Technology Reading Assignment: Why did the Ancients Not Develop Technology?
Friday, October 12
First draft of paper due; no electronic copies allowed; by 5 p.m.--now by 4:45 pm in the library; please hand them to the really nice Ms. Laura behind the desk; the library has to close its doors early.

Fall Break begins at 10 p.m.		 Roman family, Roman Women

No class--this will be on Wednesday		 World, pp. 208-234, *Shelton #325, 330  
Monday, October 15
Fall Break		      
Wednesday, October 17
Fall break ends at 8 AM

 Roman Women Reading Assignment: Selections From Women's Life in Roman World
Friday, October 19 Roman Women

GROUP PROJECT SUBMIT FORM DUE BY 5 p.m.--feel free to write it out on paper and drop it by MoodBridwell 223 by 5 pm if you find segue unavailable, intimidating, or the like!		 Shelton:  look over carefully, do NOT, REPEAT NOT, write in your journals:  55, 59, 61, 62
Monday, October 22 Roman Mind
Education I		 World, pp. 235-241
*Shelton #134, 135
Journal Due 5 p.m.--you should read and know but do not have to comment upon Roman Education until journal Three
  
Wednesday, October 24 Roman Mind
Education II		 Shelton *143, 145, 152, 153, 154, 157, 160 (journal entries can be really quick here--this is more directed writing, as I discussed in class--focus on the effect of the system of education)  
Friday, October 26

EXAM NUMBER TWO

note the rechiseling!!!
   
 
   
 
 
Monday, October 29 The Roman Mind


Philosophy I and II
World, pp. 241-260
Shelton STOICS:*466, 467, 469, 470, 471
EPICUREANISM (Lucretius' excerpts): *460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465
(group these together in your journal by author)		  
 
 
Wednesday, October 31 Roman Literature I;

BECAUSE THE EXAM DATE WAS RECHISELED, IT PUT IT TOO CLOSE TO THE PAPER DATE; NOTE THE NEW DATE for the paper IS MONDAY, NOV. 5!!!!!

Paper Due by 5 p.m.; no electronic submissions; make sure it has footnotes and bibliography		 World, pp. 262-286  
Friday, November 2 Roman Literature II
"Aeneid"

Get to it on the reading assignment section of segue.		  
Monday, November 5 Roman Art and Architecture, architecture I
Paper Due by 5 p.m.; no electronic submissions; make sure it has footnotes and bibliography; Take TO MOOD-BRIDWELL 223 or bring it to class.

There are NO EXCEPTIONS TO THE "NO ELECTRONIC SUBMISSION" RULE, SO DO NOT ASK FOR ONE.  For instructions concerning the paper, look under "requirements" section under "introduction" header in segue.		 World, pp. 287-316
Study pictures
Shelton #79, 97

Wednesday, November 7

 Roman Art and Architecture, architecture II



 Study Pictures
Friday, November 9 Roman Art and Architecture, Painting I Learn Pictures
Monday, November 12 GROUP PROJECTS I
GROUP I (A. Hernandez, F. Cespedes, B. Sanders, K. Dimatris)
Group II (M. Strachura, J. Borgstrom, S. Butler)		 Will be on final exam!

ATTENDANCE MANDATORY		  
Wednesday, November 14 GROUP PROJECTS II


Group III (A. Fulenwider, P. Boatright)
Group IV (S. Giles, J. Fedors, N. Ashford, J. Burchfield)
 Will be on final exam!

ATTENDANCE MANDATORY		  
Friday, November 16 GROUP PROJECTS II.v

Group V (K. Huff, K. Ferguson, C. Smith)

and

ROMAN ART AND ARCHITECTURE, PAINTING II		 WILL BE ON FINAL EXAM!
ATTENDANCE MANDATORY

learn images		  
Monday, November 19 Medicine I Fabulous Website!!  
Tuesday, November 20
Thanksgiving Holiday begins at 10 p.m.		      
       
Classes resume, 8 am
Monday, November 26		 Medicine II *Shelton 111, 112, 114, 115, 118  

Wednesday, November 28
Bread and Circuses I		    
Friday, November 30
Bread and Circuses II		 *Shelton #377, 378, 379, 380, 382, 391, 392, 396, 397--treat these journal entries VERY BRIEFLY  
Monday, December 3
on which we will actually do:

Friday, December 7		 Course Evaluations--Attention!!  These are now done on-line; welcome to the 21st century. Because of that wonderful addition, we will have an extra twenty minutes.  So, we will do Later Roman History:  it will be on the Final, so read it and be prepared to discuss it, please!!!!

Later Roman History; Questions
1.  "The government of the period has sometimes been called a tetrarchy (rule by four), but Diocletian was always the dominant force."  What is the tetrarchy that Diocletian (284-305) established?  How did it differ from the empire under Septimius Severus?
2.  "Although Diocletian's contributions to Roman resurgence were substantial, not all of his reforms succeeded."  What were some of Diocletian's failures?  What didn't work?
3.  What is the significance of the Battle of the Mulvian Bridge?  What changed after  that battle?
4.  "Although in his early career he had benefited from political unrest, Constantine the Great became an agent of reform and stability."  What reforms did he enact?  What effects did they have?
5.  In the period following Constantine's death (337), "in history great men are rare, but even so, the period after Constantine seems remarkably deficient in that respect" and "Barbarian invasions simply came too frequently and with greater force than in earlier periods" say our authors.  Do you find this a reasonable assessment of the fourth century?
6. In the section "causes of Rome's fall," the authors list the different centuries at which Rome's decline is supposed to have begun.  Your choices are:  1. the beginning; its problems inherent with its very nature, 2. 180, after Marcus Aurelius based on changes in art and loss of  eastern territory, 3.  Third century, with the third century crisis inherent in the many emperors murdered one after another, and 4.  after 395, since Constantine held the  empire together and the intellectuals of the day do not point to the "end of times."  Which time frame do you favor?		    

Wednesday, December 5		 Petronius' Satyricon:  This reading assignment is on "Reading Assignments," it's short and fun! Gives you great insights into Roman culture, but it is in pdf form.



FINAL JOURNAL DUE, 5 p.m.  Any material left out by that hour will be subtracted from your final grade--it's a wonderful way to learn the material for the course, think about it, make it your own, study for the final, so please complete the journal!
    

Last Day of Class, Friday, Dec. 7		 Petronius' Satyricon continued; Review. 

OUR FINAL IS SCHEDULED FROM 8:30--11:30 am on Wednesday, December 12 in our room.